Fuyu, Toruri, Kuroshi, and Ryoshi found themselves seated in a circle atop the head of Cat Mountain, a tranquil spot with a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.
"So, you guys must be wondering why I brought you up here," Fuyu began, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue.
"I'm not," Toruri interjected bluntly, earning a playful glare from Fuyu.
"Then I'm not talking to you! ahem So, you guys have your first official mission as Mamoru," Fuyu continued, addressing the rest of the group.
"And that is?" Ryoshi inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Dealing with bandits that are currently raiding a nearby village. Nothing too hard for you guys. I don't know how strong the bandits are, I don't even know if they are even bandits, just deal with them and report back to me once you're done," Fuyu explained, his instructions clear and concise.
"Yessir!" Kuroshi, Ryoshi, and Toruri chorused in unison, their determination evident.
"Great! The village should exactly be to the right of the Cat Mountain," Fuyu added, offering a sense of direction.
"Wait, really?" Toruri questioned skeptically, his disbelief evident.
"Well... More like 40 miles to the right," Fuyu clarified, prompting a collective groan from the group.
"Now get going, that village can't save itself!... I think?" Fuyu urged, his words infused with a mixture of encouragement and uncertainty.
"Alright!" Ryoshi exclaimed, his sense of duty propelling him into action.
With that, the trio dashed down the mountain and plunged into the forest to the right of Cat Mountain, their resolve unwavering as they charged towards their mission.
After a brief sprint through the dense foliage, they emerged into a scene of chaos and destruction—a village ablaze with flames and littered with debris.
"That felt like a short 40-mile run," Toruri remarked dryly, his sarcasm cutting through the tension.
"Yea... Oh my, did we not make it in time!?" Ryoshi exclaimed, his eyes widening in alarm at the devastation before them.
"HEEEEELP!!!" a voice cried out, drawing their attention to an injured boy running towards them.
"Hm?" Ryoshi's gaze shifted to the boy, concern etched on his face.
"They are destroying our village and taking the children!" the boy exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear.
"They are... Oh... Oh no," Ryoshi muttered, his heart sinking at the realization of the villagers' plight.
"Why are you just standing there!? Help us!!!" the boy implored, desperation evident in his tone.
Without hesitation, Ryoshi darted towards a burning building, his sense of duty overriding any fear or uncertainty.
"Ryoshi!" Toruri called out, his voice filled with concern as he watched him disappear into the inferno.
"Let him go. If he wants to go to the direct threat, let him be. Right now, I think it's best if we take care of the survivors and bring them to safety," Kuroshi advised, her voice calm and composed amidst the chaos.
"But... Eh, fine. Hey you, what's your name?" Toruri addressed the boy, his focus shifting to the task at hand.
"Sai Umareru?" the boy replied tentatively, his eyes darting nervously as he awaited further instruction.
"Sai, go to those bushes," Toruri instructed, gesturing towards a nearby thicket.
"Okay..." Sai complied, his steps hesitant as he made his way towards the designated hiding spot.
"I wonder what Ryoshi's up to..." Toruri mused, his thoughts momentarily lingering on their missing companion.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the ravaged village, two figures strolled along a path strewn with debris—a slim man in a fedora and a tall, muscular individual clad in an orange hoodie and a mysterious mask. The slim man, with sea-green hair partially obscured by a fedora, exuded an air of cunning intellect, while his companion, the towering figure with a stoic demeanor, emanated an aura of strength and determination. Emblazoned prominently on their attire was the word "M.A.G.I.C," hinting at their affiliation with an enigmatic organization. With them, they carried a container of ominous green liquid, their intentions shrouded in secrecy as they navigated the chaos around them.
Slim Guy, his slender figure barely casting a shadow in the flickering firelight of the village square, leaned back against a charred wall with a nostalgic sigh. "I missed the thrill of doing things like this back in the day," he remarked softly, his voice carrying the weight of memories long past.
Beside him, the Muscular Man nodded in agreement, his imposing frame a stark contrast to the devastation surrounding them. "Yeah, and once we get back to the lab with these new subjects, our military's power will further grow," he rumbled, his words vibrating through the air like distant thunder. "I mean, at this point, they would need to shut us down with force, but if we outforce them, they can't do a damn thing about us."
Slim Guy arched an eyebrow at his companion's choice of words. "Really, dude? 'Outforce'? 'Overpower' would have worked better," he commented dryly, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Their conversation was abruptly cut short by a voice piercing through the chaos of the burning village. "HEY! You two!"
The Muscular Man turned, his expression shifting to one of surprise. "Geh?" he grunted, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the figure emerging from the flames.
Ryoshi stepped forward, his breath ragged as he took in the scene before him. Wait... is it really them? he thought, his heart pounding in his chest.
Slim Guy squinted at the newcomer, a flicker of recognition dancing in his eyes. "You... look familiar," he murmured, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Ryoshi's gaze darted between the two men, his mind racing with memories buried beneath the rubble of his shattered past. They are...
The Muscular Man advanced, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he loomed over the trembling figure before him. "The kid looks scared. Let's take him," he growled, his voice dripping with menace.
Ryoshi's breath quickened, his chest heaving with the effort of holding back his rising panic.
Slim Guy furrowed his brow, watching Ryoshi closely. "Is he having some sort of panic attack?" he mused aloud, his tone thoughtful.
The Muscular Man cursed under his breath, memories resurfacing as he recognized the young man before him. "Oh, I remember this kid. Eleven years ago, we raided his village and took a large percentage of the children," he recalled, his voice heavy with the weight of past sins.
Slim Guy nodded, his own memories stirring as he recalled their encounter with Ryoshi. "Oh, right. I left him because I sensed his mana and it felt strange. I don't enjoy strange presences, you know," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.
Ryoshi's eyes flashed with fury, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "WHERE..." he demanded, his words a barely audible whisper.
Slim Guy raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Oh?" he prompted, his curiosity piqued.
Ryoshi's voice rose to a fevered pitch, his desperation palpable in the air. "WHERE IS HE!?" he screamed, his words echoing off the charred walls of the village.
Slim Guy's expression remained impassive as he shook his head slowly. "I... have no idea who you're talking about," he replied calmly, his tone betraying no hint of guilt.
The Muscular Man cursed, frustration boiling over as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Argh, do you really have the memory of a goldfish? He's from the same village we found Z-001," he snapped, his voice tinged with irritation.
Ryoshi's eyes widened in disbelief, his mind reeling at the revelation. "Z-001?" he echoed, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Slim Guy's lips curled into a sinister smile as he leaned forward, his gaze locking with Ryoshi's. "If we didn't make it clear enough, we take children from all across the world and subject them to multiple experiments and tests," he explained, his voice cold and calculating. "The tests are all part of a ranking system. There are twenty-six tests in total, each one becoming more gruesome and deadlier while also making you stronger. If you happen to fail on any of the tests, you will be ranked to the equivalent letter to what number test you failed. And to properly rank you, depending on how well you took the test, you will be given a number between one and a hundred. One being the best number to get and Z being the best letter to get. There are only ten people who've ever reached Z. I myself am Z-009, and my companion is Z-010. You can refer to me as Ishu, and you can refer to my partner as Wareme."
Ryoshi's voice trembled as he struggled to comprehend the revelation unfolding before him. "W-wait, so you're saying that Z-001 is from my village?... What's their actual name?" he stammered, his words barely audible above the crackling of the flames.
Ishu's gaze hardened as he spoke the name, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "Shinrai," he replied simply, his tone sending a shiver down Ryoshi's spine.
Ryoshi's breath caught in his throat as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. That's... him, he realized with a sinking feeling.
Wareme stepped forward, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he addressed Ryoshi. "We have him in this container right here. After a few experiments, we turned him into an evolving specimen," he explained, his voice dripping with malice. "Though he's not the same as he used to be. Now, always having a killer animal instinct, he will be back to normal once he goes through his first evolution."
Ryoshi's eyes widened in horror. "Wait, what?" he exclaimed, his mind reeling at the implications of Wareme's words.
Before he could protest further, Wareme crushed the container with a savage motion, sending a torrent of green liquid cascading to the ground. A slimy, grotesque creature slithered out, its black eyes glinting with a malevolent intelligence.
"We needed someone to test him on anyway," Wareme remarked casually, his voice dripping with cruelty.
Ryoshi could only watch in horror as the creature writhed on the ground, its features twisted and distorted beyond recognition. "What- what did you do to him!?" he cried out, his voice filled with anguish.
Ishu chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "The tests put our subjects through multiple pain tests," he explained, his words sending a chill down Ryoshi's spine. "Your friend got through all of the tests and was rewarded with multiple body upgrades. Just a few days ago, he was the first of many chosen to get mutated, and of course, he got the strongest mutation. Though he is very weak right now, fighting will make him stronger. And once he evolves, he will gain all of his previous power back along with a few new powers."
Ryoshi's heart sank as he realized the extent of Shinrai's suffering. In that moment, a cold fury burned within him, driving him to confront the monsters before him and put an end to their atrocities once and for all.
Ryoshi's voice cracked with disgust as he recoiled from the sight before him. "What the- you guys are sick!" he exclaimed, his words dripping with contempt.
Shinrai, now transformed into a monstrous creature, rose up on all fours with a menacing growl.
Ryoshi's eyes widened in horror. "Wait..." he began, his voice trailing off as realization dawned upon him.
Wareme grinned wickedly, his gaze fixed on Ryoshi. "Sick 'em, boy!" he commanded, his voice laced with malice.
Shinrai let out a primal roar before lunging at Ryoshi with terrifying speed.
Ryoshi's protest died on his lips as he watched in horror, unable to move.
POW!
A sudden gunshot rang out, and Shinrai was sent flying backward, a gaping hole torn through his chest.
Ryoshi blinked in disbelief. "What-"
Kuroshi and Toruri stepped forward, blocking Ryoshi from the advancing threat.
Toruri glanced back at Ryoshi, concern evident in his eyes. "Woah, Ryoshi, you don't look like your usual self... Well, no matter. We'll deal with these guys!" he declared with determination.
Wareme scoffed dismissively. "How cute," he remarked, his tone dripping with contempt.
Toruri's eyes narrowed in response. "What!? You talking to me? I'll show you who's cute! Kuroshi, I'll deal with the big, goofy guy. You deal with the moonwalker," he instructed, his voice filled with determination.
Kuroshi nodded, her expression steely with resolve. "Got it," she replied, her voice firm.
Ishu smirked confidently as he prepared to face off against his opponents. "Oh, are you guys fighting us? Heh, bring it on," he taunted, his voice filled with arrogance.
Kuroshi wasted no time, unleashing a barrage of light bullets at Ishu with lightning speed.
Ishu's hand turned grey as he deflected each bullet effortlessly, his movements swift and precise. In one fluid motion, he seized Kuroshi's arm and hurled her into a nearby building with terrifying force.
"You got this, Z-010!" Ishu called out, before charging in the direction of Kuroshi.
Toruri clenched his fists, channeling his magic with intense focus. "Well, uh, enhancement magic!" he declared, his hands glowing with power as he prepared for the battle ahead.
Wareme let out a yawn, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion. "Well, I do need to sleep," he muttered, his voice trailing off.
Without warning, Toruri dashed towards Wareme, his fists a blur as he unleashed a flurry of rapid punches aimed at Wareme's chest.
Ryoshi shook his head, his mind racing as he tried to focus amidst the chaos unfolding around him. Wait, why am I shocked? I need to... get back to reality, he thought, his thoughts a jumbled mess.
"Where did Shinrai go?" Ryoshi called out, scanning the area frantically.
A sickening realization washed over him as he spotted a pool of green liquid at his feet.
Shinrai emerged from the shadows with a menacing growl, his eyes fixed on Ryoshi with predatory intent.
Ryoshi's heart raced as he summoned his weapon, preparing to defend himself against the relentless onslaught.
"Surriku No Ha!!!" Ryoshi shouted, unleashing a powerful attack aimed at Shinrai.
The two clashed with ferocious intensity, their movements a blur of motion as they battled for dominance. Shinrai knocked Ryoshi's sword away with a swift swipe of his tail, leaving Ryoshi defenseless against his vicious assault.
Ryoshi gritted his teeth against the searing pain as Shinrai slashed him multiple times, his vision swimming with waves of agony.
My weapon... why isn't it coming back to me? Ryoshi wondered, his mind racing for answers.
Itsunoko's voice echoed in his mind, a faint whisper amidst the chaos of battle. "Sorry, Ryoshi," she murmured.
Ryoshi's eyes widened in frustration. Itsunoko! Just tell me why I can't use my weapon! he demanded, his thoughts a desperate plea for clarity.
Before Itsunoko could respond, Ryoshi's instincts kicked in, his muscles moving with lightning speed as he froze his leg and delivered a powerful kick to Shinrai's head, knocking him back momentarily.
Seizing the opportunity, Ryoshi darted towards his sword, but Shinrai lunged at him with terrifying speed, stabbing him in the leg with his tail before launching a barrage of slashes at his chest.
Ryoshi's eyes narrowed with determination as he focused his magic, channeling the power of ice through his fingertips. "Ice Magic: Instant Freeze!" he commanded, reaching out to touch Shinrai's arm.
With a surge of power, Shinrai's arm was encased in a layer of frost, immobilizing him momentarily.
"Mana Burst!!!" Ryoshi cried out, his voice filled with determination as he unleashed the full force of his magical energy.
Entering his Mana Burst state, Ryoshi conjured a massive icicle and launched it at Shinrai with incredible speed. But before it could reach its target, Shinrai countered with a barrage of acid, causing the icicle to melt away before it could strike.
Ryoshi's heart sank as Shinrai retaliated with a volley of acid balls, each one finding its mark and slowly dissolving different parts of his body. Struggling to maintain his balance, Ryoshi stumbled, his strength waning with each passing moment.
But just as he was about to succumb to defeat, Ryoshi's quick thinking turned the tide of battle in his favor. Freezing the acid-melted water beneath Shinrai, he caused multiple spikes of ice to shoot up at his opponent, impaling him with deadly precision.
"ARRRGGGG!" Shinrai roared in pain, his fury echoing through the air.
"Dammit..." Ryoshi muttered under his breath, his body trembling with exhaustion as he collapsed to the ground.
Itsunoko, what's wrong? Ryoshi pleaded silently, his mind racing for answers.
"It's..." Itsunoko's voice whispered faintly, her words trailing off.
Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Ryoshi summoned every ounce of his strength, his determination unwavering. "Ice... Ice MANA BURST!!!" he shouted, his voice filled with resolve as he entered his ice Mana Burst state once more.
With a fierce battle cry, Ryoshi leaped at Shinrai, his sword gleaming in the dim light as he slashed at his foe with relentless fury. Each blow was met with equal force as the two engaged in a deadly dance of blades.
But Shinrai was quick to retaliate, driving his claws deep into Ryoshi's shoulder with savage strength. The two adversaries clashed with ferocious intensity, neither willing to yield an inch.
Despite the searing pain coursing through his body, Ryoshi pushed through, his mind focused on one thing: victory.
Summoning his remaining strength, Ryoshi hurled a ball of ice at Shinrai, shaping it into a hand that clamped onto his foe's face. With a surge of power, he froze Shinrai's head in a block of ice, leaving him vulnerable to Ryoshi's final, decisive blow.
With a primal roar, Ryoshi charged forward, driving his sword deep into Shinrai's heart, ending the battle once and for all.
Ryoshi's mind raced with desperation as he struggled to find a way out of the dire situation. C'mon, Itsunoko!!! he pleaded silently, his thoughts a frantic prayer for assistance.
Itsunoko's voice echoed in his mind, a faint whisper amidst the chaos of battle. Boy... he murmured, his words tinged with urgency.
Before Ryoshi could react, Shinrai unleashed a devastating counterattack, melting the ice encasing him from the inside with his corrosive acid. With a vicious hiss, the acid seared into Ryoshi's flesh, sending waves of agony coursing through his body.
"Tch-" Ryoshi gritted his teeth against the pain, his strength waning with each passing moment.
Itsunoko... Ryoshi's thoughts trailed off, his mind clouded with doubt.
Its, in time of need, Itsunoko's voice urged, his words a desperate plea for action.
Shinrai let out a deafening roar, his fury reverberating through the air like thunder.
Itsunoko... Ryoshi's thoughts echoed once more, his resolve wavering.
Say it now!!! Itsunoko's voice boomed in his mind, his words a final, urgent command.
Ryoshi's eyes flashed with determination as he summoned his last reserves of strength. "Surikku No Ha Kakusei," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath.
In an instant, a surge of power enveloped him, his senses sharpening as he tapped into the depths of his true potential.
"WOAH, that woke me up!" Wareme exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Wait, you were sleeping?" Toruri questioned incredulously, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Yeah, I don't think you woke me up," Wareme replied nonchalantly, a bemused smile playing on his lips.
"I was punching you for so freaking long though," Toruri protested, his frustration evident in his tone.
"Really? I didn't feel anything until that happened," Wareme remarked, his gaze shifting to the unfolding spectacle before them.
"What happened?" Toruri inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Somebody... awakened," Wareme replied cryptically, his eyes fixed on Ryoshi.
A swirling haze of icy wind enveloped both Ryoshi and Shinrai, obscuring them from view.
As the wind cleared, Ryoshi's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before him. His sword had transformed into an epee, glowing with ethereal blue light.
"Did I really just...?" Ryoshi began, his voice trailing off in disbelief.
You've finally awakened your weapon... well 25% of it, you still have three more stages to go, Itsunoko's voice echoed in his mind, his words a comforting reassurance amidst the chaos of battle.
Ryoshi's eyes blazed with newfound determination as he faced off against Shinrai. "Alright!!!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with confidence.
Shinrai let out a low growl, his muscles tensing as he prepared to strike.
"Now then..." Ryoshi muttered, his grip tightening on his transformed weapon.
With lightning speed, Ryoshi lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The epee connected with Shinrai's chest, and the monstrous creature's eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Did I... win?" Ryoshi questioned, his voice tinged with disbelief.
That is the power of an awakened weapon, Itsunoko's voice echoed in his mind, his words a reminder of Ryoshi's newfound strength.
Well, I'm still dying but... I gotta make sure my friends are okay, Ryoshi thought, his concern for his companions outweighing his own injuries.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos of battle, Kuroshi faced off against Ishu with unwavering determination.
"Skill 1: Light Bullet Barrage!" Kuroshi unleashed a barrage of light bullets at Ishu, her movements swift and precise.
But Ishu was quick to respond, deflecting each bullet effortlessly with a flick of his hand. With a menacing grin, he transformed his hand into a grey spear and lunged at Kuroshi with deadly intent.
"I'm stronger than you," Ishu declared triumphantly, his spear impaling Kuroshi with brutal force.
With a grunt of pain, Kuroshi fought back, summoning her ice magic to hurl an ice grenade at Ishu.
But Ishu was one step ahead, his arm morphing into a grey shield that deflected the grenade, causing it to ricochet off and freeze Kuroshi into a solid block of ice.
"You know what, I'm taking you!" Ishu exclaimed, his voice dripping with malice as he prepared to deliver the final blow.
Ishu's voice dripped with disdain as he addressed Kuroshi's frozen form. "I have the ability to make ANYTHING out of my body. I beat you by only using two of my millions of transformations. You make me sad," he taunted, his words cutting like a knife through the air.
With a contemptuous sneer, Ishu lifted Kuroshi's frozen body, preparing to deliver her to his awaiting comrade.
"HEY WAREME, YOU DONE WITH YOUR PERSON YET?" he called out, his voice echoing through the chaos of battle.
Meanwhile, Toruri found himself locked in a deadly struggle against Wareme, his every move countered by his formidable opponent.
"Sound Magic: Climatic Burst!" Wareme unleashed a powerful sound wave that sent Toruri crashing into a burning tree, his body wracked with pain.
"Ow, wait, where'd he go?" Toruri muttered, his senses reeling from the impact.
"Right here!" Wareme's voice boomed, as he seized Toruri by the head with a vice-like grip.
"Ah- Let me go!" Toruri hissed, his muscles straining against Wareme's iron grip.
"I want to crush something of yours," Wareme growled, his grip tightening around Toruri's skull with merciless force.
"RAAAAAAAH!!!" Toruri screamed in agony, his world spinning as Wareme exerted his dominance.
"Hm, maybe I shouldn't crack your skull wide open," Wareme mused, releasing Toruri with a cruel smirk.
As Toruri staggered back, clutching his head in pain, Wareme's gaze fell upon his weapon with a predatory gleam.
"Hey, do you have a magical weapon?" Wareme inquired, his eyes glinting with anticipation.
"Yeah, why?" Toruri responded warily, his instincts on high alert.
"I want this fight to be a good one! So give me your full power!!!" Wareme demanded, his voice filled with excitement.
"Whatever you say... Beakurou!" Toruri summoned his weapon, a chain imbued with powerful magical energy.
"Oh, nice, a chain!" Wareme exclaimed, snatching Toruri's weapon with a malicious grin.
"Hey, what are you planning to do with that? You can't break it, it's a magical weapon," Toruri protested, his voice laced with apprehension.
"HAH! I was given the ability to break magical weapons," Wareme boasted, his confidence unwavering. "Our leader infused magical weapon materials into my mana, causing my mana to have the ability to damage magical weapons."
"No way..." Toruri breathed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yes way, watch and learn, scrub," Wareme sneered, effortlessly snapping Toruri's weapon in two before dropping it to the ground with a mocking laugh.
Toruri's heart sank as he watched in horror as his beloved weapon, Beakurou, was obliterated before his eyes. "What, no! Beakurouuuuuu!" he cried out, his voice filled with anguish and despair.
"Time to end it forever!" Wareme declared triumphantly, unleashing a small beam of magic that completely destroyed the weapon.
"Beak... no..." Toruri whispered, his voice barely more than a broken murmur.
Meanwhile, Ishu paced impatiently, his frustration mounting with each passing moment. "Ok, this should be the exit path to the village... if it had one anymore, that is... What is taking Wareme so LONG!?" he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of his comrade.
Suddenly, Toruri's limp body crashed to the ground beside him, followed closely by Wareme.
"Hey," Wareme greeted casually, his demeanor unflappable despite the chaos surrounding them.
"There you are. Where's Z-001?" Ishu demanded, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"I sensed a rise in that squirt's mana. He awakened his weapon!" Wareme reported, his voice tinged with urgency.
"Don't tell me that..." Ishu trailed off, his mind racing with worry.
Before he could react, Ryoshi's voice echoed through the air, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"AH YES I DID! I DEFEATED YOUR BEST SOLDIER!" Ryoshi declared proudly, standing atop a destroyed building with Shinrai in one hand and his awakened weapon in the other.
"Ryoshi..." Toruri's voice was filled with a mixture of relief and concern.
"I'm here to save my friends!" Ryoshi proclaimed, his determination shining through despite his injuries.
"You seriously think you're stronger than Z-001?" Ishu scoffed, his confidence unwavering. "Let me remind you that he isn't at full strength. Even in that state of his, the only reason he was weak is because the green liquid known as Kraftner sucks all of his energy dry so he doesn't break out of his container and potentially attack us."
"Who cares. I'm STILL GOING TO TAKE YOU DOWN!" Ryoshi declared defiantly, leaping off the building with unwavering resolve.
Meanwhile, Sai watched the scene unfold from behind a nearby boulder, his admiration for Ryoshi's bravery swelling within him. Wow, he's so heroic, even on the brink of death, he's still putting his friends first and not himself, Sai thought to himself, a sense of awe washing over him.
As Ryoshi charged forward, Ishu wasted no time in taking action. With a flick of his finger, he fired a projectile at Ryoshi, causing him to lose his balance and fall face-first onto the ground, his determination undiminished despite the setback.
Ryoshi winced as he picked himself up from the ground, feeling the sting of Ishu's attack still lingering.
"Okay... Wareme, do we take them, or...?" Ishu turned to his companion, his expression a mix of uncertainty and determination.
"I still need to collect the rest of the children I have kept captive," Wareme replied, his tone decisive as he focused on his mission.
Suddenly, Sai emerged from his hiding spot, his voice filled with defiance. "NO!" he exclaimed, his eyes blazing with determination.
"What?" Wareme questioned, his attention drawn to the unexpected interruption.
"Oh, a survivor! You look like a teen! Let's take him, Wareme," Ishu suggested, his gaze fixed on Sai.
"I won't let you take the children, even if I have to die, I'll protect them!!!" Sai declared passionately, his resolve unyielding.
"You heard that? It's a one for, one, two, three, four, eighteen deal!" Ishu remarked, his lips curling into a smirk.
"What a steal!" Wareme chuckled in agreement, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Take me seriously!!!" Sai pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.
In the distance, the sound of a loud motor cut through the air, catching the attention of Ishu and Wareme.
"Hey, Wareme, you hear that?" Ishu questioned, his brow furrowing in curiosity.
"Of course I do," Wareme replied, his senses alert as he strained to identify the source of the noise.
"It sounds like a-"
Before Ishu could finish his sentence, a man with blue spiky hair and a quirky ensemble sped into view on a motorcycle, his presence both unexpected and bewildering.
"OH OH SORRY SORRY!!!" the man exclaimed as he skidded to a stop, his eyes wide with alarm.
"Who the-" Ishu began, his confusion mounting.
"Are you ok?" the man asked, his concern genuine as he rushed to Sai's side.
"Nooooo, you just ran me over!" Sai protested, his voice tinged with pain.
"Uh uh, this should help!" the man reassured, pulling out a tiny syringe and injecting it into Sai, his actions swift and confident.
"Oh shit, that was the strong syringe..." The mysterious figure's voice faltered, his eyes widening in alarm as a small burst of blood suddenly spurted off the top of Sai's head.
"That was meant for... Ryoshi," he muttered, his expression growing increasingly panicked.
Sai recoiled in horror, his hands trembling as he stared at the tags protruding from his head. "What did you do to me!?" he demanded, his voice trembling with fear and confusion.
"Uhhhm..." The figure hesitated, his gaze darting nervously between Sai and the tags embedded in his skull.
As he inspected the area where the blood had spurted, he noticed two tags sticking out, one labeled "burn" and the other "shock."
"I... I don't know!!!" he stammered, his words rushed and disjointed.
Before he could offer an explanation, Wareme's voice cut through the air like a knife, his tone filled with accusation and hostility.
"You!" Wareme growled, his eyes narrowed in suspicion as he fixed his gaze on the figure.
The figure turned to face Wareme and Ishu, a nervous smile plastered across his face. "Oh, howdy!" he greeted cheerfully, waving as if nothing was amiss.
"Another surprise guest?" Ishu questioned, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Oh, it's you guys! Wait, you might not recognize me in this new body I have," the figure remarked casually, his tone filled with a strange mixture of familiarity and amusement.
"What do you mean?" Ishu pressed, his curiosity piqued by the figure's cryptic words.
As the figure introduced himself as Toi, Ryoshi and Toruri exchanged incredulous looks. "TOI!?" they exclaimed in unison, their voices tinged with disbelief.
"B-069? Weren't you up for execution 6 years ago? How did you survive, how did you age so quickly? You look 20-something," Ishu demanded, his tone laced with suspicion.
Toi chuckled nervously, his demeanor shifting from jovial to defensive. "Well, I lost my original body sometime before this, and my soul was transferred into a doll. But now the Negative Point lab created a perfect vessel for me, one that freely lets loose all of my childish nature and thoughts into one!!! This body also gives me superhuman CAP-A-BIL-ITIES, and I don't-"
Before Toi could finish his explanation, Wareme silenced him with a swift and decisive action, hurling a rock through his chest with deadly accuracy.
"So annoying," Wareme muttered, his frustration evident as he surveyed the chaotic scene unfolding before him.
Toi shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't feel pain," he replied casually, his expression betraying no hint of discomfort.
"Oh great," Ishu remarked dryly, his irritation palpable.
"Hey you! Get behind me," Toi instructed Sai, his tone firm yet protective.
"Ok!" Sai complied, quickly moving to position himself behind Toi's sturdy frame.
As Ishu scanned the area, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait- WHERE DID THEY GO!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with alarm.
But before anyone could react, Toi revealed the true extent of his power. "While you guys weren't looking, I used immense speed to rescue Toruri, Kuroshi, and Ryoshi, as well as save the children. THIS IS GONNA BE A BIG ONE. Magical Weapon: Dangan No Gantoretto," he declared, summoning two red gauntlets around his fists with practiced ease.
"Skill 1: Grand Break!" Toi slammed his gauntlets together, fusing them into a giant cannon.
"Fire!" he commanded, unleashing a titanic beam of blue magic that tore through the village and the forest beyond, leaving devastation in its wake.
Meanwhile, Fuyu stood vigilantly atop Cat Mountain, gazing out at the forest where Ryoshi, Toruri, and Kuroshi had ventured.
"I hope they're doing well..." Fuyu murmured, his thoughts consumed by concern for his friends.
Suddenly, a massive beam of blue magic hurtled towards him with terrifying speed.
"What in the hell, that could destroy my precious Cat Mountain!!! Ice Magic: Zone Freeze!" Fuyu exclaimed, summoning his powers to freeze the beam before it could touch the mountain.
Back with Toi, he examined the aftermath of his attack with a mixture of satisfaction and surprise.
"Alright, let's see what that did," he mused, his gaze focused on the frozen beam.
Ryoshi marveled at Toi's strength, impressed by the sheer magnitude of his abilities.
Toi stopped the beam, revealing Ishu's towering shield crafted from his own arm to block the devastating attack.
"That could have done some damage! We surrender for now. Just know, we could end this in an instant, I just no longer feel like fighting," Ishu declared, his tone resigned yet tinged with an undercurrent of warning.
Wareme scooped up Shinrai's body, preparing to depart.
"Bye!" Ishu called out as he and Wareme vanished from sight, leaving behind a scene of destruction and uncertainty.
Sai blinked in astonishment, his mind struggling to process the whirlwind of events that had unfolded before him.
"Wow..." he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper as he took in the scene of destruction around them.
Toi nodded decisively, his expression resolute. "Ok! Now I need to take you guys back to the Negative Point! Same with these children," he announced, his tone firm and unwavering.
"Wait, you're taking me too?" Sai asked, his eyes widening with surprise at the unexpected turn of events.
"Yup, now that you probably have superpowers and all, you need to join the Sanctuary," Toi replied matter-of-factly, his demeanor brimming with confidence.
Sai's brow furrowed in confusion. "What now?" he questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Toi flashed him a reassuring smile. "I'll explain on our way there. I'm new there, so some things might not be true," he explained, his words carrying a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead.